Stake driver



United States Patent 3,369,616 2/1968 McGongal etal. 3,437,156 4/1969 Laverty........................

[ 72] Inventor Howard W. Drake 1908 N. Madelyn Ave., Tucson, Arizona 85716 FOREIGN PATENTS llllllllllllll Patented Dec. l, 1970 Sheet of 5 .n K m, .o m 0 2 4 2 D w o 2 6 2 W 2 4 0 4 W .M9 2 3 3 2 d F 8 3 2 8 W z 5 fv 7 2 w l 9 0 o w E`IR`IL. 9 M5543Pl2v997$5 III H V1 IASRR :vv B Q a f a 4 4 l 2 w 6 4 no 6 w 6 4 6 hM\/\ d v w w 4 0 4 0 4 8 2 9 9 u 9 9 n.. a H 4 6 4 2 6 S M4! l o 8 6 H 8 .o G 9 M ,/o f d E E E 6g 4 6 .m9 9 2 5 v 0 M 3 F 4 o 2 m Patented Dec. 1, 1970 Sheet 6 8 9 7 8 w M 0. w/o O \\\.K 0 5 7 f m Y w oo w 4 .0o. 1.00 o@ ...o 6 o .e M 2, oooooo. o oo.ao, v. 6 U M Fig; 6

. /88 EHS/INTI Howard W. Drake INVENTOK.

Patented Dec. l, 1970 3,543,868

Sheet 3 of5 Fig. a

Howard W. Drake IN VliNTOK.

Patented Dec. 1, 1970 3,543,868

Sheet L of 5 Howard W Dra/re INVIENTOK.

Patented Dec. 1, 1970 3,543,868

Sheet 5 of5 Ha ward M. Drake IN I/INTOK.

WMM

sTAKi: DRIVER The instant invention is generally concerned with the driving of stakes, particularly grade stakes, and more specifically relates to the provision of a power unit whereby the driving is effected in a rapid manner and with a minimum effort.

It is a primary object of the instant invention to provide a power stake driver which can be utilized to quickly and exactly drive a plurality of stakes to a predetermined height, for example, the ultimate grade at a building site.

In conjunction with the above object, it is a significant object of the instant invention to provide a device which incorporates height indicating meansl thereon whereby the operator, once given the depth to which a stake is to be driven by an instrument man, can independently proceed with the driving of the stake to the required depth without any further reference to an outside instrument or the like. This advantage is particularly significant in that a single instrument man can coordinate and provide the necessary driving depth information to a plurality of operators each utilizing a driver in accordance with the instant invention, thereby greatly expediting, as an example, the laying out of grade stakes.

Further, it is a significant object of the instant invention to provide a stake driver which provides an immediate awareness of whether or not the stake is being driven perpendicularly into the ground, in conjunction with a continuous reading as to any tilt or inclination in the stake, indicating the highest point thereon.

Other objects residing in the instant invention include an automatic centering of the stake in the driver, a retaining of the top of the stake in a clean condition for accurate readings, and the provision of means for varying the degree of impact on the stake as it is being driven.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughoutand in which:

FIG. lis an elevational view of the driver comprising the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational'view of the driver taken from the right hand side of FIG. I, portions being broken away for purposes of illustration;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged elevational view of the upper end of the driver taken from the left hand side of FIG. 1 with the cover plate removed;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 4-4 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 5-5 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an elevational detail illustrating the indicating ends of the check rods mounted on the reading rod;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged crosssectional detail taken substantially on a plane passing along line 7-7 FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 8-8 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 9-9 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 14) is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 10-10 in FIG. 7;

FIG. l1 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail taken substantially on a plane passing along line 11-11 in FIG. l;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 12-12 in FIG. l1;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 13-13 in FIG. l2;

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective detail of the hammer or impact head and the lower end of one of the height transfer elements;

FIG. 15 is an operational view of the driver in conjunction with a rigid rod utilized to set the depth to which the stake is to be driven; and

FIG. 16 is an operational view similar to FIG. 15 wherein a string mounted weight, in conjunction with a guide pulley is utilized in conjunction with the driver as a means for determining the depth to be driven.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, reference numeral 20 is used to designate the stake driver comprising the instant invention. This driver, noting FIG. l5 in particular, is of a relatively compact construction capable of being easily held and manipulated by a single operator.

The driver 20 has the operative components thereof housed within and mounted on an elongated housing unit including a lower housing 22, a central housing 24 and an upper housing 26. The lower housing 22 is of a configuration, normally rectangular, so as to conform to and slidably receive the particular type of stake or member to be driven through the open externally beveled lower end portion 28 thereof. An outwardly directed flange 30 is provided peripherally about the upper end of the lower housing 22. The central housing 24 is in turn provided with an outwardly projecting flange 32 on the lower end thereof which seats on the lower housing flange 30 and is resiliently secured theretoby means of four fasteners 34. Each of the fasteners 34 comprises a headed bolt 36 engaged through alined apertures in the flanges 30 and 32 with the head thereof engaging the top of the upper flange 32 and with the shank thereof projecting a substantial distance below the lower flange 30. An expanded coil compress compression spring 38 encircles the shank and is engaged between the undersurface of the lower flange 30 and a nut positioned washer 40 on the lower portion of the bolt shank, thereby resiliently retaining the lower flange 30 against the upper flange 32 while allowing for a limited or cushioned movement of the lower housing 22.relative to the central housing 24. It is contemplated that the central housing 24 be circular in cross section and of a diameter approximately equal to the greater crosssectional dimension of the lower housing 22. In turn, the upper housing 26 is rectangular in cross section and of a greater cross-sectional size than the central housing 24, this upper housing 26 being rigidly affixed to the central housing 24 by means of appropriate bolts 42 engaged upwardly through an outwardly directed flange 44'about the upper end of the central housing 24 and into the bottom wall 46 of the upper housing 26. The three housings 22, 24 and 26 are of course hollow with the hollow interiors thereof being in direct linear communication with each other.

Mounted centrally through these three housings is the driving hammer or impact member 48, such consisting of an elongated octagonal shaft 50 having a flat enlarged rectangular impact head 52 on the lower end thereof located in inwardly spaced relation to the open lower end portion 28 of the lower housing 22, and a pair of diametrically opposed outwardly extending spring seating projections 54 thereon at a height whereby such projections are positioned immediately above the engaged flanges 30 and 32. The spring seating projections 54 extend outwardly through vertical slots 56 in the lower portion of the central housing 24 and receive and seat the lower lend of an expanded coil compression spring 58 which encir` cles the central housing 24 and has the upper end thereof seated against the flange 44 provided at the upper end of the central housing 24. This spring, as will be readily apparent, effects, through the projections 54, a downward driving of the impact member 48 upon a raising of the impact member 48 so as to compress the spring 58 and a subsequent release of the elevated impact member.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 in particular, the elevation of the impact member 48 is effected by means of a pair of vertically orientated endless chains 60 laterally spaced from each other to the opposite sides of the upper end portion of the impact shaft 50. The upper and lower ends of the chains 60 are trained about sprockets 62 mounted on common shafts 64, the opposite ends of which are rotatably received within bearing units 66. The opposed bearing -units 66 of the upper and lower shafts 64 are in turn slidably supported on opposed horizontally orientated supports 68 whereby a lateral sliding of the chains toward and away from the impact shaft 50 can be efl fected, the upper support member 68 of course being positioned below the upper bearing units, while the lower support members 68 are positioned immediately above the lower bearing units 66 with the chains appropriately tensioned so as to retain the bearing units 66 in 4engagement with their corresponding supports 68.

Upper and lower positioning yokes or forks 70 are: provided in horizontal alinement with the upper and lower chain shafts 64 to the opposite side of the impact shaft 50 therefrom. Each fork 70 includes a pair of forwardly projecting arms 72 which project toward and rotatably receive the corresponding upper or lower shaft 64 just outward of the two chain sprockets 62 thereon by means of appropriate brackets 74 bolted thereon, these arms 72, at least in the case of the lower fork 70, straddling the impact shaft 50. Projecting in the opposite direction from each pair of arms 72 is a rigid control finger or member 76 which extends through a reinforced aperture in the adjacent wall of the upper housing 26. A pair of biasing springs 78 are engaged between the arms 72 of each fork and the adjacent housing wall through whichthe member 76 projects, such springs 78 biasing the two forks 70 toward the wall and consequently the two lift chains 60 toward the impact shaft 50.

The upper end portion of the impact shaft S is provided with a pair of laterally directed lugs 80 rigidly affixed thereto and extending outwardly a sufficient distance soas to overlie the two chains 60, each of which is in turn provided with a pair of lifting lugs 82. The lugs 82 include beveled lift faces which, upon a rotational driving of the chains 60, engage beneath the impact shaft lugs 48, and effect a raising of the impact member 48. The lugs 82, normally two being providedon each chain 60, are so orientated whereby a positive raising and dropping sequence can be effectedv The spring-loaded forks 70 are so orientated whereby the chains 60 are continuously biased toward the impact shaft 50 as as to provide for a positive engagement of the chain lugs 82 with the shaft lugs 80. ln the actual lifting operation, the chain lugs 82 will remain in engagement with the sa shaft lugs 80 until sufficient resistance to the upward movement of the impact member 48 is developed, either through increased resistance in the member driving spring 58, or the encountering of a fixed abutment, such as, as

one example, the upper ends'of the slots 56 which accommodate the spring seating projections 54, at c which time, lugs l82 will slide by and release the lugs 80, the springs 78 being capable of expanding slightly so as to permit this. Once the lugs 80 are released, it will be .appreciated that the impact member 48 is forcibly driven downward by the enlarged impact producing spring 58. Incidentally, as will beappreciated from the drawings, an appropriate motor or power unit 84 will be mounted on the driver exteriorly of the upper housing 26, the motor 84 drivingthe upper shaft 64 through an appropriate belt and pulley arrangement 86.

ln order to effecta manual control of the engagement and disengagement of the chain lugs 82 with the shaft lugs 80, a control system is utilized. This system includes a rigid rod 88 rotatably mounted transversely across the outer face of the upper housing 26 immediatelyabove each of the outwardly projecting fork fingers or members 76. A rigid depending member 90 is fixed centrally to each rod 88 for rotation therewith, this member 90 engaging against the outer end of the corresponding fork linger 76 whereby a clockwise rotation of the rods 88, as appearing in FIG. 4, would result in an inward pushing of the forks 70 and a corresponding disengagement of the chains 60 from the impact member shaft S0. The rods 88 themselves are rotatably mounted within appropriate mounting ears 92 on the upper housing 26 with one projecting end of each of the rods 88 'having an inwardly directed rigid link 94 affixed thereto and received over a common vertical control rod or shaft96l which extends vertically along the side of the housing 26. Theinner ends of each of the links 94 include an enlarged aperture therein through which the rod 96 projects. projects, this aperture, in each case, being surrounded by a depending generally arcuate bearing projection 98 which in turn seats on a nut positioned washer 100 whereby an upward pull on the rod 96 results in a corresponding upward movement of the links 94 and a resultant rotation of the rods 88 along with an inward forcing of the forks 70 so as to disengage the chains. If so desired, the orientation of the link supporting washers 98 can be varied, through the support nuts associated therewith threaded on the rod 96, so as to actually provide for a slight angular orientation of the chains 60, for example the lower portion of the chains 60 being positioned slightly closer to the impact shaft 50 than the upper portion of the chains so as to facilitate, during the driving operation, the desired disengagement between the lugs and 82. The vertical movement of the rod 96 which controls the engagement and disengagement of the chains 60 is in turn controlled through appropriate pivotally interconnected and housing mounted links 102 which, at one end thereof, engage the upper end of the rod 96, and at the other end thereof are hingedly engaged with an outwardly projecting handle 104 rotatably mounted on the upper housing 26. lt should be ap- .preciated that this handle 104 is actually utilized in the manipulation and positioning of the driver 20 in addition to being a means for, through merely a rotation of the handle, disengaging the driving action. Further, inasmuch as the driving action can be started and stopped through merely a rotation of theassociated control handle 104, it will be recognized that the degree of impact can also be easily varied, for example by means of a retraction of the chain lugs 82 from the shaft lugs 80 before a full upward retraction of the impact member 48 has been effected.

Y Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 13, it will be noted that the octagonal configuration of the impact shaft S0 as well as the rectangular configuration of the impact heat 52 are so related to the cross-sectional area within the lower housing 22 as to be slidably although nonrotatably positioned therein. ln initiating the actual driving operation, the stake, indicated in phantom lines in FIG. 13, is inserted within the open lower end portion 28 of the lower housing 22 upward into engagement with the impact head 52 whereby upon a reciprocation of the of the impact member 48, the desired driving of the stake is eiected. ln order to centrally position the stake within the lower housing 22, as well as seal the upper end of the stake so as to prevent the introduction of any dirt or soil between the upper end of the stake and the impact head 52, an appropriate seal ring member 106 is mounted within a peripheral groove 108 provided about the interior of the lower housing portion 28, this seal consisting basically of a steel covered rubber Vor elastomeric member 110 locked into position by appropriate anchor screws 112 engaged through the lower housing 22 and a backing plate 114 provided on the seal.

ln some instances, rather than driving just the stake itself, it may be desirable to drive the lower housing 22, either in conjunction with a driving of the stake or independently thereof, such as for example'when the driving of the stake brings the lower end end of the lower housing into contact with the ground with still further driving being required. ln such is such instances, noting FIG. 8 in particular, a pair of diametrically opposed laterally sliding transfer blocks 116 are slid into position between the shaft positioning projections 54 and the underlying upper flange 30 of the lower housing 22. These transfer blocks 116 slide directly on the upper surface of the flange 30, the overlying flange 32 being slotted or relieved so as to allow for this direct engagement of the transfer blocks 116 with the flange 30. Further, each block includes an outwardly directed guide rod 118 rigid therewith and received through an apertured guide plate 120 affixed to the outer portion of the flange 30 forthe sliding reception of the guide rod 118 therethrough. The actual movement of the transfer blocks 116 between an inner impact receiving position underlying the projections 54 and a retracted position outward of the projections 54 so as to not receive the impact force therefrom is effected by means of a pair of control cables 122, the upper ends of which are engaged with a second rotatable control handle 124, and the lower ends of which are engaged with appropriate linkage systems which engage directly with the slidable transfer blocks 116. The linkage system associated with each transfer block 16 includes an elevated transversely orientated rod 126 rotatably mounted between a pair of posts or standards 128 projecting upwardly from the flange 30, A pair of links 130 are rigidly affixed to the rod 126 for rotation therewith with the outer ends of the links being pivotally engaged with the corresponding transfer block 116v whereby upon a rotation of the rod 126, a lateral sliding of the block 116 will be effected. Incidentally, this engagement of the links 130 with the corresponding block 116 can be effected by means of outwardly extending stub shafts on the block 116 received through elongated slots in the ends of the links 130 whereby a variation inthe effective distance between the block 116 and the rotatable rod 126 can be be accommodated. The corresponding control cable 122 is in turn fixed to a rigid link 132 which is also fixed to the rod 126 whereby a vertical adjustment of the link 132 through the control cable 122 will rotate the rod 126 so as to provide the afore described lateral sliding of the transfer block 116. Finally, a pair of brackets 134 can be provided to stabilize the lower end p0rtions of the control cables 122 through a clamped engagement with the covering sheaths therefor.

Positioned to each side of the impact member 48 and extending from the impact head 52 to a height just short of the top of the lower housing 22 are a pair of height transfer members 136, each comprising a vertically elongated rodlike stem 138 and a lower yokelike head 140. The heads 140 of the opposed transfer members 138 each straddles an outwardly projecting ear or lug 142 on the adjoining impact head 52 with the relationship between the impact head 52 and the two transfer heads 140 being such so as to enable a positive engagement of the inner end of the stake with the transfer heads 140 upon a slight raising of the impact head 52. The upper end of each of the transfer stems 138 abuts against the inner end of a horizontally orientated bar 144. These bars 144 are orientated in laterally spaced parallel relation to each other and project outwardly through verticallyelongated slots 146 defined in the upper portion of the lower housing 22. Each of the bars 144 is mounted for vertical sliding movement on a vertically extending bracket supported guide pin 148. Each of the bars 144 includes an elongated sleeve 150 as a rigid portion thereof, this sleeve 150 receiving the guide rod 148 therethrough whereby a vertical sliding of the plate 144 on the guide rod 148 can be effected through an engagement of the transfer stems 138 with one end thereof. Each plate 144 is biased downwardly on the corresponding guide rod 148 so as to maintain constant engagement with the upper end of the corresponding transfer stem 138 by means of a coiled biasing spring 152 engaged between the to the top of each plate or bar 144 and the overlying lower housing flange 30. The outer end of each of the bars 144 in turn mounts a vertically adjustable threaded positioning pin 154 which engages against the undersurface of a laterally directed flange 156 integral with a vertically elongated reading rod 158. This flange 156 is also rotatably mounted on a vertical guide pin 160 which is affixed to a projecting ear 162 on the overlying flange 32 of the central housing 24 whereby both a vertical and a rotational movement of the reading rod 1.58 can be effected. The upper portion of the reading rod 158 is also mounted for vertical and rotational adjustment by means of an enlarged bracket 164 affixed to the face of the readingrod and slidably receiving a second guide pin 166 therethrough, the pin 166 being bracket mounted to the upper end of the upper housing 26.

With reference to FIG. in particular, it will be noted that the reading rod 158 projects a substantial distance above the top housing 26 so as to be readily visible to the operator of the driver 20. In use, after an initial positioning of the stake to be driven in the ground, a reading is taken by an instrument man of the height of the stake, and a calculation is made as to the distance the stake will have to be driven so as to orientate the highest point thereon at the desired level. The driver is orientated vertically on the stake, utilizing an appropriate bubble level or the like 168, and a rigid calibrated rod 170 slidably orientated outward of and parallel to the reading rod 158 by appropriate bracket means 172. Next, a vertically adjustable indicator 174 is set at a predetermined height on the rod 170 and the operator of the device given a predetermined point 176 on the reading rod which is a distance above the indicator 174 equal to the distance the stake is to be driven. Thus, as the driving of the stake progresses, the reading rod 176 will naturally follow the stake downward with the point 176 approaching the indicating means 174. When the point 176 is alined with the indicator 174, the operator will know that the desired depth has been reached and that the stake is now properly set. The transfer members 136, whereby a vertical movement of the reading rod 158 will be effected upon an engagement of an inserted stake with either or both of the transfer heads 140, provides a means for insuring a proper seating of the stake within the lower housing and enable the taking of a proper reading in that, upon engaging the stake with the transfer heads 140, the reading rod 158becomes in effect a rigid extension thereof which adjusts itself to the top of the stake regardless of slight vertical shifts in the remainder of the driver.

Referring specifically to FIG. 16, a modified form of height control or indicating means has been illustrated, such utilizing an elongated spring 178 anchored at one end by suitable anchor means 180 and carrying an adjustable bob or weight 182 at the other end thereof, the string 178 passing over a pulley 184 mounted on the upper end of the reading rod 158 itself. With this arrangement, the pointer end of the weight 182 is set the required driving distance above a predetermined point 186 on the reading rod 158 and the driving operation continued until the pointer reaches the indicated point 186 which signifies an arrival of the stake at the desired depth.

Finally, the driver 20 incorporates a system which enables the operator to be aware at all times of the orientation of the stake, that is whether the stake is remaining perpendicular, and if not, what point on the stake constitutes the highest point so as to enable an adjustment of the driver. This system involves four elongated check rods 188, each mounted for sliding movement within an elongated mounting sheath 190. The upper end of each of the sheaths 190 is received through and mounted within the upper rod mounting bracket 164, the four sheaths being arranged in parallel relationship with each other across the face ofthe rod 158 with the rods 188 projecting vertically thereabove through a second bracket 192 also affixed to the face of the reading rod 158. The rods 188 are biased downwardly to a predetermined level above the bracket 192 by means of coiled biasing springs 194 positioned about each rod 188 and engaged between the bracket 192 and an adjustable lock collar 196 fixed on the rod or cable 188. The lower ends of the sheaths 190 are in turn received and fixed within appropriate bores 192 in the transfer heads 140, two sheaths 190 being mounted within each transfer head 140 to the opposite sides of the transfer stem 138` The cables 188 themselves project vertically below the transfer heads 140, noting FIGS. 11 and 13, for engagement with the four corners of an inserted stake. In this manner, noting FIG. 6, any variation among the four corners of the stake will be readily apparent from variations in the height of the four cables 188. Actually, the four cables 188 will be so orientated whereby the highest one thereof will aline with a particular set line on the reading rod through a forcing of the stake into the lower housing 11 22 and upward against the lower ends of the cables 188, the operator of the device, during the driving of the stake, attempting to maintain all of the check rods or cables 188 at the set line, thereby indicating a horizontal orientation at the top of the stake. In any event, upon a completion of the driving of the stake, there will be an immediate awareness of the high point thereon which should correspond to the desired grade.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that a highly unique sa stake driver has been defined, the driver incorporating mean means whereby, upon being given a set driving distance by an instrument matlie operator of the driver can quickly, easily and exactly drive or place a stake to the desired height for grading purposes or the like. Incidentally, it will be appreciated that the mounting of the reading rod for rotation will facilitate a reading thereof in that it can be easilyswung to a variety of rotated positions for sighting thereon by an instrument man. Further, the incorporation of controls in the handle for both actuating and varying the force of the impact unit, as well as selectively providing for a driving of the stake alone, or in conjunction with the lower housing, or for that matter the lower housing by itself, greatly simplifies the handling of the driver and by the same token insures a positive control over the driving operation.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

l claim:

1. A power stake driver, said cally elongated housing means, a hollow interiory extending vertically through said housing means and opening through the bottom thereof, vertically elongated impact means vertically shiftable in the hollow interior of the housing means, said impact means including an impact head on the lower end thereof located inward of the lower end of the housing means, driving means resiliently biasing the impact means and the head thereon downward, lift means for periodically raising said impact means against the biasing force of said biasing means and subsequently releasing said impact means for a downward driving thereof by said biasing means, means for moving said lift means between afxrst position remote from said impact means a and a second position in operative engagement with said impact means, said housing means including a lower housing portion, means for selectively engaging said impact means with said lower housing portion for a direct driving thereof, said lower housing portion being formed independently of the remainder of said housing means and being resiliently secured thereto for movement relative to the remainder of the housing means during the independent driving thereof, a stake engaging peripheral seal mounted within the lower end portion of the housing means outward of the impact head for sealing and centering engagement with an inserted stake, a vertically elongated reading rod mounted on said housing and extending in laterally spaced parallel relation thereto, means mounting said reading rod for limited vertical adjustment, and height indicating means orientated within the lower portion of said housing means and extending upwardly therefrom into engagement with said reading rodl for enabling,

' through a movement of the readinglrod, an indication of a complete seating of a stake within the lower portion of the housing means.

2. The driver of claim l including a plurality of elongated check rods, means positioning one end of said check rods within the lower portion of said housing means into the path of a stake introduced therein, and means positioning the second end of said check rods in alinement with each other on said reading rod, said check rods vertically shifting in response to engagement of an introduced stake thereagainst with the vertical shifting of the rods being translated into a vertical movement of the upper ends of the check rods relative to the reading rod, each check rod corresponding to a particular point on the top end of an introduced stake thereby providing a visual indication of the relative elevations of the various portions of the top of an introduced stake engaged thereagainst.

3. A power stake driver, said stake driver including verti` cally elongated housing means, a hollow interior extending vertically through said housing means and opening through th the bottom thereof, vertically elongated impact means vertically shiftable in the hollow interior of the housing means, said impact means including an impact head on the lower end stake driver including vertil thereof located inward of the lower end of the housing means, driving means resiliently biasing the impact means and the head thereon downward, lift means for periodically raising said impact means against the biasing force of said biasing means and subsequently releasing said impact means for a downward driving thereof by said biasing means, means for moving said lift means between a first position remote from said impact means and a second position in operative engagement with said impact means, said housing means including a lower housing portion, means for selectively engaging said impact means with said lower housing portion for a direct driving thereof, a verticallyelongated reading rod mounted on said housing and extending in laterally spaced parallel relation thereto, means mounting said reading rod for limited vertical adjustment, and height indicating means orientated within the lower portion of said housing means and extending upwardly therefrom into engagement with said reading rod for enabling, through a movement of the reading rod, an indication of complete seating of a stake within the lower portion of the housing means.

4. The driver of claim 3, including a ground engaging gaging rod mounted in parallel relation to said reading rod immediately adjacent thereto, first point indicating means on said gaging rod, second point indicating means on said reading rod whereby a vertical downward movement of the reading rod in response to the driving of a stake will enable a movement of the reading rod relative to the ground engaged gaging rod and a bringing of the predetermined indicating points in alinement with each other to thereby signify the driving of a stake a predetermined depth.

5. The .driver of claim 3 including a pulley mounted on the upper end of -said reading rod, an elongated spring engaged over said pulley, anchor means anchoring one end of said string to the ground whereby said string generally parallels said reading rod, and weight means engaged with the second end of said string to the opposite side of said pulley from said anchor means whereby a vertical lowering of the weight means will be effected in conjunction with a downward driving of a stake and a corresponding downward movement of the reading rod thus enabling the utilization of the weight means, in conjunction with the reading rod, as a means for gauging the depth to which a stake is driven.

6. A power stake driver, said stake driver including vertically elongated housing means, a hollow interior extending vertically through said housing means and opening through the bottom thereof, vertically elongated impact means vertically shiftable in the hollow interior of the housing means, said impact means including an impact head on the lower end thereof located inward of the lower end of the housing means, driving means resiliently biasing the impact means and the head thereon downward, lift means for periodically raisin raising said impact means against the biasing force of said biasing means and subsequently releasing said impact means for a downward driving thereof by said biasing means, means for moving said lift means between a first position remote from said impact means and a second position in operative engagement with said impact means, said lift means comprising vertically moving chain means having lug means thereon, said impact means including lug receiving portions thereon selectively engageable by the chain lug means, said means for moving said lift means effecting a movement of the lift means transversely to the vertical direction of movement of the chain means and comprising slidably mounted bearings for the upper and lower ends of said chain means, means for resiliently biasing said bearings, and hence the chain means thereon, into said second operatively engaged position, and control means engaged with the chain means for selectively moving said chain means into the first remote position against the biasing force of the associated biasing means whereby a release of said impact means can be effected at various raised positions to obtain a variable impact.,

7. A power stake driver, said stake driver including vertically elongated housing means, a hollow interior extending moving said lift means between a first position remote from said impact means and a second position in operative engagement with said impact means, said housing means including a lower housing portion, means for selectively engaging said impact means with said lower housing portion for a direct driving thereof, said impact means including laterally extending projections thereon underlying and forming a seat for the driving means which resiliently biases the impact means downward, said means for selectively engaging the impact means with the lower housing portion for a direct driving thereof comprising impact transferring blocks movably mounted on s aid housing means for transverse movement 'between a first position remote from the impact means and a second position engaged beneath the impact means projections and between the projections and the lower housing portion whereby a reciprocation of the impact means, and the projections thereon, will transmit the impact force through said transfer blocks to said lower housing portion.

8. A power stake driver, said stake driver including vertically elongated housing means, a hollow interior extending vertically through said housing means and opening through the bottom thereof, vertically elongated impact means vertically shiftable in the hollow interior of the housing means, said impact means including an impact head on the lower end thereof located inward of the lower end of the housing means, driving means resiliently biasing the impact means and the head thereon downward, lift means for periodically raising said impact means against the biasing force of said biasing means and subsequently releasing said impact means for a downward driving thereof by said biasing means, and a read'- ing rod mounted on said housing and extending in laterally spaced parallel relation thereto, means mounting said reading rod for limited vertical adjustment, and height indicating means orientated with within the lower portion of said housing means and extending upwardly therefrom into engagement with said reading rod for enabling, through a movement of the reading rod, an indication of a complete seating of a stake within the lower portion of the housing means.

9. The driver of claim 8, including a plurality of elongated check rods, means positioning one of end of said check rods within the lower portion of said housing means into the path of a stake introduced therein, and means positioning the second end of said check rods in alinement with each other on said reading rod, said check rods vertically shifting in response to engagement of an introduced stake thereagainst with the vertical shifting of the rods being translated into a vertical movement of the upper ends of the check rods relative to the reading rod, each check rod corresponding to a particular point on the top end of an introduced stake thereby providing a visual indication of the relative elevations of the various portions of the top of an introduced stake engaged thereagainst.

10. The driver of claim 9 wherein the means vmounting said reading rod include a laterally directed horizontally orientated flange on the lower end of said reading rod, a vertical guide pin extending through said flange and both rotatably and slidably mounting said reading rod, and a bracket fixed to said reading rod in an elevated position thereon, a second guide pin fixed to the upper portion of said housing means, said bracket rotatably and slidably receiving said second guide pin, the two guide pins being in vertical alinement with each other whereby a rotational adjustment of the reading rod can be effected while retaining the general vertical orientation thereof, said height indicating means engaging the flange on the lower end of said reading rod.

l1. The driver of claim 10, including height gaging means paralleling said reading rod immediately adjacent thereto, said height gauging means having a first end thereof engageable with the ground adjacent the pointat which a stake is to be driven, and means on said gauging means usable as a predetermined point for alinement with a predetermined point on the reading rod whereby upon alinement of the two predetermined points an indication of the completion of the driving operation is provided. v

12. The driver of claim 8 including height gaging means paralleling said reading rod immediately adjacent thereto, said height gaging means having a first end thereof engageable with the ground adjacent the point at which a stake is to be driven, and means on said gaging means usable as a predetermined point for alinement with a predetermined point on the reading rod whereby upon alinement of the two predetermine points an indication of the completion of the driving operation is provided.

13. A power stake driver, said stake driver including vertically elongated housing means, said housing means opening downwardly, vertically elongated impact means vertically shiftable within the housing means, said impact means including an impact head on the lower end thereof located inward of the open lower end of the housing means, said impact means and the head thereon being biased downwardly lift means for periodically raising said impact means against the biasing force and subsequently releasing said impact means for a downward driving movement thereof, said housing means ncluding an elongated relatively narrow drivable lower housing portion, and force transferring means engageable with the lower housing portion and selectively transversely movable into the path of the descending impact means for a direct transfer of the force of the impact means to the lower housing portion for a resultant direct driving of the lower housing portion.

14. A power stake driver, said stake driver including vertically elongated hollow housing means, said housing means having an open lower end, vertically elongated impact means vertically shiftable within the housing means, said impact means including an impact head on the lower end thereof located inward of the open lower end of the housing means, said impact means being biased downwardly, lift means for periodically raising said impact means and subsequently releasing the impact means for a downward driving movement thereof, a reading rod mounted on said housing and extending vertically in laterally spaced parallel relation thereto, and height gauging means as an integral component of the stake driver, said height gauging means paralleling said reading rod immediately adjacent thereto, bracket means mounting said gauging means on said reading rod, said height gauging means having a first end thereof engageable with the ground adjacent a point at which a stake is to be driven, and means on said gaging means usable as a predetermined point for alinement with a predetermined point on the reading rod whereby upon alinement of the two predetermined points an indication of the completion of the driving operation is provided.

15. The driver of claim 14 wherein said height gauging means comprises an elongated rigid gauging rod, said gaging rod having a vertically adjustable indicator thereon constituting the means usable as a predetermined point on the gauging 16. The driver of claim 14 wherein said height gaging means includes an elongated string, anchor means engaged with one end of said string for anchoring said one end to the ground, said bracket means comprising a pulley mounted on the upper end of said reading rod, said string, from the anchor means, generally paralleling said reading rod and engaging over the pulley, said means on the gaging means usable as a predetermined point comprising weight means engaged with the second end of the string to the opposite side of the pulley from said anchor means whereby a vertical lowering of the weight means will be effected in conjunction with a downward driving of a stake and a corresponding downward movement of the reading rod for a selective alinement thereof with a predeter' mined point on the reading rod. 

